Surgery Threatens to Disrupt Pre-season Training for Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo, the Manchester United forward, may have to undergo a hernia operation that would rule him out of the start of pre-season training.

Ronaldo aggravated a groin problem during Portugal’s 2-1 win in their World Cup qualifying match away to Albania on Saturday and will be out for about a month if United decide he needs surgery, although the news will not signal the end of Real Madrid’s desire to lure the player to Spain.

Although United made an approach for Antonio Valencia, the Wigan Athletic winger, yesterday, the Barclays Premier League champions appear determined to keep Ronaldo at Old Trafford.

Ronaldo has been allowed to return home to his native Madeira after being ruled out of Portugal’s friendly against Estonia in Tallinn tomorrow. He has remained in contact with United’s medical staff but is thought to want to know whether he will require surgery before he flies to Miami on holiday next week.

“Cristiano’s idea is to get it operated on right away so he can recover during June and be back to start training in early July,” a source close to the player said. “But he definitely wants this dealt with because he thinks it might affect his pre-season work if not.”

United return to training on July 6, by which time Ronaldo could have a new team-mate. United contacted Wigan yesterday to inquire about the possibility of taking Valencia to Old Trafford, although they have yet to make a formal bid for the player.

Dave Whelan, the Wigan chairman, wants close to £20 million for Valencia. The player has been told he can leave the JJB Stadium, with United confident of getting their man for nearer to £15 million.

“I expect there will be something happening maybe this week or next week, but nothing just yet,” Diego Herrera, Valencia’s agent, said yesterday.

Valencia’s arrival would raise serious questions about Nani’s long-term future at Old Trafford. The Portugal winger has struggled to make his mark since his £17.3 million move from Sporting Lisbon in July 2007 and Sir Alex Ferguson, the manager, may look to cut his losses next summer if the player does not show significant improvement next season.

Speculation has also surfaced about the futures of Dimitar Berbatov and Nemanja Vidic in recent weeks, but the respective agents of the Bulgaria striker and Serbia defender have dismissed suggestions that their clients could leave United this summer.

Barcelona, AC Milan and Inter Milan are all interested in Vidic, whose wife Ana is believed to be unsettled in Manchester, while Berbatov has invited criticism after an indifferent first season at Old Trafford. “ I want to declare that Dimitar will play next season at Manchester United,” Emil Dantchev, Berbatov’s agent, said.

Paolo Fabbri, one of Vidic’s representatives, said: “Nemanja will stay in Manchester. I don’t think we will have any surprises in the short-term.”

source : timesonline.co.uk